A baby girl was born on the hard shoulder of the M42 after her mother went in to labour during a car journey.

The woman and her husband were travelling from London to their home in Bilston early on Sunday morning when she began to feel cramps between Junction 5 at Solihull at Junction 6 near Birmingham Airport.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said the husband rang 999 and a controller realised the woman was in labour.

“With help on the way, the call assessor gave instructions to the husband on how to deliver the baby and advised the woman to take slow deep breaths,” said the spokesman.

“The incident support officer arrived just as the baby girl was born in the front passenger side foot well.

“Crews cut the cord, assessed mum and baby and wrapped the newborn in a blanket to keep her warm before they were both transferred to Heartlands Hospital for further assessment and treatment.